Some of you may have heard about or read the reports on the sexual misconduct of the late Ravi Zacharias. He was a well-known Christian apologist who was deeply respected as a spiritual giant by many Christians, including myself.

I respected him for his great intellect, especially for his ability to condense complicated concepts into simple sentences that a layman could understand. 

Furthermore, RZIM, the organisation he founded, emphasises not just an intellectual form of apologetics but the importance of the truth of the Gospel lived out in a changed life.

Thus, I was as shocked as the rest of you when I first heard the news. As I read the report in detail, I was greatly grieved by the extent of what he had done — the cover ups, the pious statements, the justifications.

Many women have been directly affected. God’s Name has been disgraced to a watching pre-believing world. Many Christians would also have been affected. The credibility and integrity of all Christian leaders may have been undermined.

The repercussions of Ravi’s actions are deep and will be far-reaching as news of this spreads.

How should we respond to such news?

1. Perspective

Recognise Ravi Zacharias for who he was — a flawed human being like the rest of us whom God had called to serve in His kingdom. We should not idolise him and base our faith on his character — or on any other leaders for that matter.

Recognise that God’s truth doesn’t change even if the messenger was flawed.

Our faith rests in the God who loved us and gave His life for us, even before we had turned from our sin. And this truth has not changed.

2. Pride

Man has a tendency to categorise sin into degrees of seriousness. But in God’s eyes, all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23).

I am no more worthy of salvation than anyone else. I am saved only by the mercy and grace of God. By His standards, I am no better than Ravi Zacharias. I do not have the right to judge.

All of us are capable of sin. Pride is that inner voice that whispers: “I would never do such a sinful/stupid thing.”

This prideful over-confidence causes us to lower our guard, refuse precautions and brush aside the warning signs.

We must realise that every one of us is capable of slipping into sin — even sexual sin — if we do not put up safeguards for ourselves. We all have a sinful bent and Satan is a cunning, deceitful devil.

3. Protection in community

One of the best ways to guard our steps from sin is to make ourselves accountable to someone.

This is one of the reasons we say that discipleship must be done in the context of life-on-life relationships.

Such relationships allow us to reveal the deepest secrets of our hearts to our trusted friends and gives them the permission to probe for any deceit lurking in our hearts.

A common thread among Christian leaders who have fallen into sin is that they have not made themselves accountable to anyone.

Early temptations could not be discussed with friends who might have corrected them. Sin could not be confronted by a trusted friend.

4. Prayer

At times like this, we feel like crying, “Why, God?” And such a lament is an appropriate prayer to God as we see in the many lament psalms.

Cry out to Him, and may He speak to you personally as only He can.

Pray for the victims, and pray for his family and loved ones who must be reeling from these revelations.

Pray also for the leadership of RZIM who has to deal with this matter.

May we hold on to the faith we profess and trust that God will be glorified in the midst of this crisis.

First published by Woodlands Evangelical Free Church. Republished in full with permission. 

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